Prepaid Credit Cards for Rewards Programs...Any Thoughts?

[toystoryduo]

Yesterday, my DH went to Walgreens to buy one of these prepaid cards for me... It was $11.95 to activate the card and in the fine print, it says that there is a $4.95/ month maintenance fee. Does anyone have experience with these cards with the rewards programs? Do most offers go through? Do you think it's worth it to use one or would it be better to get a Master Card or Visa gift card? We closed our credit card account due to unauthorized charges so I need another option to continue doing rewards programs. Thanks!

 

[alacazander]

Yesterday, my DH went to Walgreens to buy one of these prepaid cards for me... It was $11.95 to activate the card and in the fine print, it says that there is a $4.95/ month maintenance fee. Does anyone have experience with these cards with the rewards programs? Do most offers go through? Do you think it's worth it to use one or would it be better to get a Master Card or Visa gift card? We closed our credit card account due to unauthorized charges so I need another option to continue doing rewards programs. Thanks!

I'd love to hear too!

I guess you activate it online and pay online for the maintenace fee?

Keep us updated on if/how it works with the offers! This could be really good for us!

Thanks!

 

[tcmata]

I have not used the ones that you purchase at the stores yet. I ordered a Discover gift card through our account and used that for quite a few reward program offers. It worked for most offers, but not all. The ones I specifically remember it not working for were the Scholastic book offers. I always try the Discover pre-paid card first when doing offers. Since this card was issued through our CC account, it does have my name on the front of the card. Some offers do request the "Name on the card", so I'm not sure if that would be an issue or not with the ones you purchase from the store. HTH

 

[Maybelle]

I looked at some of these cards online and most semed to have pretty steep fees. I know it is worth it not to have your credit info stolen, but man, I was surprised at some of the fees they charged. I also wonder if the use of these cards reflects on your credit. I'd like more info too if anyone has it.

 

[M 'n C]

Why don't you try getting a webcertificate. They are through Mastercard and you get the name on a card thing, exp date, security number. Its basically an online cc. I think there is a one time activation fee of $1.00 It might be worth a try over that gc that costs $11 to activate and $5 a month to have.

https://www.webcertificate.com/webcert/

 

[murphnjamie]

Check with your bank. They may have more reasonable prepaid cards. I have a Visa Debit card given to me as a gift from my mom. It worked right through her bank. It is a prepaid amount (she gave me $50) and has no fees for the first 7 months. Then it becomes a $2.95 a month charge. I am thinking of getting one with a low amount for reward sites as it is not tied to any of my accounts, yet it is a visa. It even has a 3 digit security code on the back so I imagine it will work fine online.

 

[alacazander]

Why don't you try getting a webcertificate. They are through Mastercard and you get the name on a card thing, exp date, security number. Its basically an online cc. I think there is a one time activation fee of $1.00 It might be worth a try over that gc that costs $11 to activate and $5 a month to have.

https://www.webcertificate.com/webcert/

That sounded good and I tried to sign up but got this message.

Please note that at this time we are not allowing credit card purchases for new Webcertificate orders

 

[Plantlady]

I was wondering, if with a prepaid credit card, would you have the same sort of backing and protection? I.E., if it were stolen, sure, they could only use the amount you put on it.. but, would you get that amount back? Does that make sense?

It almost makes more sense, to me, in my mind, to have a credit card devoted only to the rewards sites. Paid off in full each month, with the security of the credit card company backing you. If it is stolen, they will take the charges off, and if you only used it for the rewards site, you would be able to easily check your statement.

But, I'm no expert. I noticed the fees involved online with prepaid credit cards, so I decided against it. Now, I'm trying to work out other options in my head.

 

[Maybelle]

I was wondering, if with a prepaid credit card, would you have the same sort of backing and protection? I.E., if it were stolen, sure, they could only use the amount you put on it.. but, would you get that amount back? Does that make sense?

It almost makes more sense, to me, in my mind, to have a credit card devoted only to the rewards sites. Paid off in full each month, with the security of the credit card company backing you. If it is stolen, they will take the charges off, and if you only used it for the rewards site, you would be able to easily check your statement.

But, I'm no expert. I noticed the fees involved online with prepaid credit cards, so I decided against it. Now, I'm trying to work out other options in my head.

You're always thinking!!!

Good point, by the way!

 

[andrea2289]

Try obopay.com

I got one of their cards a few weeks ago and have used it for 4-5 offers now with no problems. You automatically get $5 credit for signing up. You will need a valid cell phone number to create an account. Once you sign up, you can request a Mastercard for your account. Mine came very quickly...in a matter if a few days!

Obopay is like Paypal but they do a lot through your cell phone. There is a lot of information on the site!

Good Luck!

 

[luvdisney00]

I use a Mastercard for offers that I don't use for anything else except some online shopping. I have never used it in a store, so if there is a problem, I know it happened online. I also keep the credit limit low. So far, so good, but I do have to make a habit of checking it more frequently. This is a good reminder for me to do that.

 

[lilstint]

Try obopay.com

I got one of their cards a few weeks ago and have used it for 4-5 offers now with no problems. You automatically get $5 credit for signing up. You will need a valid cell phone number to create an account. Once you sign up, you can request a Mastercard for your account. Mine came very quickly...in a matter if a few days!

Obopay is like Paypal but they do a lot through your cell phone. There is a lot of information on the site!

Good Luck!

I signed up for the obopay card through MyPoints and I got $25 free! It's worked great so far. I figure the most I can lose if the # gets stolen is $25.

 

[toystoryduo]

Thanks everyone for your replies and suggestions.... I may look into the Webcertificates and obopay as well.

 

[M 'n C]

Oh I'm going to check into obopay then. I didn't know webbies weren't being sold to the general public. I thought it was just not offered on mypoints anymore.